Category: Lifestyle

How did the soggy Easter Bunny dry himself? With a hare dryer!

But seriously, we’re hoppin’ for a sunny day on Saturday, March 31st when our real estate team will be participating in Downtown Pleasanton’s annual Bunny Hop. This is a scavenger hunt event for families from 10am-12pm.

You can pick up your treat bag and list of clues at the Museum on Main. Our clue will lead you to our office at 459 Main Street. We’ll have treats for the kids and mimosas for the adults. We’ll also have a drawing for an Easter wine basket to complement your holiday celebrations. We hope you and your family can make it.

Just remember that the event is limited to the first 600 people so be sure to come early! It’s sure to be an egg-cellent time!

We love this time of year when the temperature drops, the decorations start to light up the night around Pleasanton and the locals are all happy and excited about the holidays and the upcoming new year. We wanted to share a few photos of our holiday season here in Pleasanton with good friends and family.

Christmas brings family and friends together. It helps us appreciate the love in our lives we can often take for granted. May the true meaning of the holiday season fill your heart and home with many blessings.

The 11th annual “Honoring Veterans Day” takes place on Thursday, November 9, at Las Positas College. All are invited to attend the free event.

The celebration begins at 11 a.m. with the Honor Guard Presenting the Colors, Elaine Johnson singing The Star-Spangled Banner, and the Travis Air Force Band of the Golden West performing. The opening ceremony takes place at the flagpole located near the Veterans Resource Center, Bldg. 1310. Parking is $2, and the nearest lots are C, D and E.

At 11:30, those interested may attend a barbecue luncheon that is free for veterans, and $10 for all others. “At 1 p.m., we’ll have Retired Senior Chief U.S. Navy SEAL Thom Shea as our keynote speaker,” says LPC’s Veterans First Coordinator Todd Steffan. “Each year we have great keynote speakers like Tuskegee Airmen, survivors of the USSArizona, Vietnam Huey pilots, and now a former Navy SEAL.”

At 7 p.m., Shea will give his talk a second time at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 301 Main Street in Pleasanton. Following the one-hour presentation, Shea will answer questions and autograph books. Although both talks are free, donations to LPC’s Veterans First Program are welcomed.

It’s that time of year again! The temperatures have dropped, the colors orange and black are more abundant and the annual Pleasanton Museum On Main’s Ghost Walk is here again. This event has been a community favorite for 10 years now.

For 2 weeks, on Friday and Saturday nights from 6 to 8, starting tomorrow Friday the 20th, is the spooky Pleasanton Ghost Walk. The 90 minute guided tour is a unique and goose bump producing event that also teaches you a little something about Pleasanton’s haunted sites and paranormal activities that have been reported here over the years.

Such a great time for the entire family and costumes are recommended but not required. If tickets are still available, grab them quickly as they sell out every year. The tours take place no matter the weather so be sure to dress accordingly.

Tickets are from $13 to $18 and the tour starts at the Museum on Main here in Pleasanton.

One of our favorite Pleasanton events of the Fall season (although it does happen here twice a year). It’s coming this Sunday October 8th from 8:00 till 4:00 on Main Street close to our office here in Downtown Pleasanton. NO admission fee and yes… your dogs are welcome to attend although appraisals can not be done on your pet, sorry LOL.

But how fun!! Bring those beloved items that your curious about. Maybe it’s origin, it’s age and of course maybe it’s value. We all have those pieces in our home that may have been handed down from our ancestors, or maybe we picked up in our travels abroad, or maybe even picked up at garage sales locally. You never know what you may have stumbled upon.

The Faire has 400+ dealers who specialize in Antiques and Collectibles. So if you are looking to maybe pick up a new piece for your home or as gift, this is the place to be. Some of the categories are: repurposed, upcycled, rustic, collectible, antique furniture and more (clothing, furniture, jewelry, toys, ephemera, home décor, etc).

Steve Yvaska, a very well known Appraiser and Columnist will be doing FREE appraisals from 10:00 till 1:00, so be sure to be there early to reserve a spot of time with him. Limit 1 item per person. His booth will be at the corner of Main and Division.

It’s important to remember that the Faire is no longer being held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. It is on Main Street in downtown Pleasanton only. Keep that in mind when finding parking this Sunday morning.

Fall here in the Tri Valley wouldn’t be complete without the 4TH Annual Fall Festival at Aviso Adobe Community Park. This is the kick off event for the fall season.

This event is the perfect place to take the family and enjoy the food, games and crafts. Also, a few interesting events like the local 4H live animal display, authentic Californios music and dance by the California Fandango Project and of course, the must see, the Park’s life sized fiberglass milking cow.

A few other fun it’s to occupy the kids like: Ice Cream Churning, Apple Cider pressing, soap carving, horse roping and of course, the adobe brick making project. The Alviso Adobe park wouldn’t be complete without the onsite taco vendors, Yum!!

This should be a fun day for the kids and parents too. Maybe we will see you there.

We can all agree that we are having some unusually hot weather this summer in the Tri Valley. Nothing better on a hot day than to slip into that new swimsuit and dive into that crisp, cool oasis in your back yard.

Before you google the best pool builder in your area and break out your check book, let us help you with a few options and factors to consider when planning the design of your new pool, like types, shapes, water, extras and costs. Your pool type, style and cost may vary depending on weather conditions, frequency of use, topography and a number of other factors.

Here are the most common Pool types’ materials. Ask your pool builder which will be the best for you. Sometimes soil and topography are major factors when choosing:

– Concrete
– Fiberglass
– Vinyl

And of course, most importantly, which style of pool would best suit your lifestyle and family needs? Here are a few of the popular styles today, and are illustrated in some of the photos.

Salt water pools can be more expensive, mostly due to the need for a specific salt water generator. Now, remember that even a salt water pool has chlorine in it, but much lower levels so it doesn’t dry out your skin as much. The good thing is that you don’t have to add the chlorine yourself. It is actually created by chemical electrolysis, which happens within a salt water chlorinator (or generator).

Even though upfront is more expensive to build your Salt water pool, the money you save monthly will add up and depending on the link that you have your pool, you will end up saving money long-term by not having to buy as many chemicals.

A few extras to consider when making your budget:

– Fencing? Sometimes required by code
– Slide or no slide?
– Diving Board?
– Hot Tub attached?
– Bar? Especially if you plan on entertaining
– Cave attached? Sometimes fun for kids and a shaded area from the sun.
– Lighting, for night time enjoyment
– Rock Structures for maybe a waterfall or plant features
– Automatic Cleaners. Ask your designer about the best for you
– Tile Trim. Like any design, it can be the small extras that pull it all together and express your taste and style.

Most of all! Remember to enjoy the creation and design of your new pool. It’s like adding a new addition to the family.